Torino Beat Monza 3-2 in Dramatic Serie A Matchday Seven Opener
Torino opened the seventh round of Serie A with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Monza at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino. In a match full of momentum swings, first-half breakthrough and late drama, the home side extended their winning run to three consecutive league games and climbed to 13 points—moving above Juventus in the standings.
Monza responded twice after falling behind, but Torino’s second-half pressure proved decisive. A goal from Isak Belghali and a strike by Nikola Vlasic put the hosts in control, before a stoppage-time own goal by Patterson gave the scoreline one final twist. The result offered plenty for fans to discuss, from Torino’s growing confidence to Monza forward Gustavo Varela’s remarkable scoring form.
Torino Take Control After a Tight First Half
The opening stages were closely contested, with both teams looking to establish their rhythm. Torino, coached by Ignazio Abate, entered the fixture encouraged by recent wins over Udinese and Parma. Their 2-1 victory over Udinese was followed by an emphatic 3-0 result in Parma, and the hosts showed the same attacking intent as they sought to make it three league wins in a row.
The breakthrough arrived in the 39th minute. Fitz-Jim found the net to give Torino a 1-0 advantage, scoring his first goal in Serie A. The finish was a significant personal milestone and an important moment in a match where Monza had initially made it difficult for the home side to create clear openings.
Torino’s lead lasted only briefly into the second half. Monza came out with renewed purpose, and Varela equalised in the 47th minute, restoring parity and setting up a more open contest. The quick response showed the visitors’ ability to remain dangerous even when playing away from home.
Belghali and Vlasic Restore Torino’s Advantage
With the score level, Torino pushed forward and began to find more space in the attacking third. Belghali put the hosts back in front in the 61st minute, giving the home crowd a reason to believe the team could convert its pressure into another important win.
Torino continued to build on that momentum, and Vlasic extended the lead in the 73rd minute. His goal made it 3-1 and appeared to give Abate’s side a comfortable cushion. The hosts had turned a narrow contest into a two-goal advantage through persistence and sharper second-half execution.
Monza, however, refused to let the match fade away. The visitors kept pushing, and the closing minutes became tense as they searched for a way back into the game. Their late pressure led to a dramatic final moment in stoppage time, when Patterson scored an own goal in the 90th minute plus four. The incident brought Monza closer on the scoreboard, but Torino held on to secure all three points.
Varela Continues His Impressive Scoring Run
Although Monza left Turin without a result, Varela’s contribution was another headline from the match. His equaliser continued an outstanding scoring run: the forward has now scored nine goals in eight appearances across Serie A and the Coppa Italia.
Varela is also among the league’s leading scorers, level with Frosinone’s Raimondo in the race for the top spot. His start to the season has placed him in notable company. He is the fourth-youngest player to score at least seven goals across the first seven matches of a campaign, a benchmark last reached by Umberto Guarnieri in 1939.
That historical comparison underlines the scale of Varela’s early-season impact. For Monza, his form is an encouraging sign, even as the team looks to improve its defensive consistency and turn strong individual performances into points.
What the Result Means for the Serie A Table
Torino’s victory takes the club to 13 points and moves it above Juventus, providing a valuable boost early in the Serie A season. Three consecutive wins can strengthen belief within a squad, particularly when they include both a convincing away performance and a hard-fought home result.
For Abate, the match offered evidence of Torino’s attacking depth. Fitz-Jim’s first Serie A goal, Belghali’s contribution and Vlasic’s finish all helped decide the contest, while the team showed it could respond after Monza’s rapid equaliser. The late own goal made the ending more complicated than Torino would have wanted, but the final whistle confirmed a result earned through sustained pressure.
Monza, meanwhile, can take positives from its resilience and Varela’s continued productivity. Yet conceding three goals will be a concern for the coaching staff, particularly after the team had worked its way back into the match. Tightening up defensively could be crucial if Monza is to make the most of its forward’s exceptional form.
Torino vs Monza: Match Result and Goals
Final score: Torino 3-2 Monza
Scorers: Fitz-Jim (39′), Varela (47′), Belghali (61′), Vlasic (73′), Patterson own goal (90’+4′)
Looking Ahead: Torino’s Momentum and Monza’s Response
The result gives Torino a strong platform as the Serie A schedule continues. The club will aim to carry its three-match winning streak into the next round, while maintaining the balance between attacking ambition and defensive control that will be vital over a full campaign.
Monza’s next challenge is to turn Varela’s goals into more consistent team results. His scoring record makes him one of the season’s most compelling players to watch, but the club will need contributions across the squad to climb the table. Any prediction for Monza’s next fixture will depend in part on whether the team can reduce the defensive lapses that proved costly in Turin.
For neutral fans, this Matchday Seven opener delivered the ingredients of an entertaining football contest: five goals, a first Serie A milestone, a standout striker and a dramatic finish. Torino claimed the points, but both teams left the match with clear talking points as the Serie A season gathered pace.
